July 25, 2013

Summer Fun: CT Parks and Local Attractions

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With summertime upon us, there are a variety of local attractions and cultural events, as well as state parks and landscapes for you to explore. In fact, CT has more than 100 parks and forests, and 15 public campgrounds, each with unique features for residents and visitors alike.

Naugatuck Railroad, Thomaston. Visitors can board a restored locomotive at Thomaston Station and enjoy riding in restored vintage coaches through the Naugatuck Valley. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy the scenic ride along the Naugatuck River’s edge, passing through state forest lands. Special holiday themed train rides are also put on throughout the year. Sure fun for the whole family!

Thomaston Opera House, Thomaston. At the cultural and recreational heart of Thomaston and surrounding communities is the Thomaston Opera House. The Landmark Community Theatre manages productions held from March through December. For a current list of shows and events, click here.

Talcott Mountain State Park, Simsbury. As you take in the view from Heublein Tower, be sure to take in the tower itself, in its day one of the most unusual and spectacular summer houses in Connecticut. Views from the 165-foot tower stretch from Mt. Tom in Massachusetts to Sleeping Giant to the south.

Kent Falls State Park, Kent. One of the best hikes in Connecticut runs along this 250-foot waterfall, plunging a quarter-mile down through a thick forest.

Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill. Here you’ll find the fossilized footprints of the giant lizards that crisscrossed the Connecticut River Valley 200 million years ago. Kids can make plaster-of-Paris casts of actual dino footprints to take home.

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden. The park offers an impressive network of hiking trails, ranging from expert to nearly child-proof.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam. The centerpiece of this magnificent location high above the Connecticut River is a most unusual house built by 19th-century actor William Gillette.

Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford. Visitors here will find gardens and sweeping lawns on 230 acres, with lots of frontage right on Long Island Sound.

Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison. At over 2 miles in length, this is Connecticut’s longest beach, and its most-attended state park. There are campsites, a nature center, a network of trails and swimming in Long Island Sound.

Further information on attractions and tourism in Connecticut can be found at www.ctvisit.com.

Further details on these and all the other parks can be found at ct.gov/deep.

I hope you take advantage of some of these great attractions our state has to offer.